My CJ-based system

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XCop5089
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My CJ-based system

Post by XCop5089 »

I am in my 60's and first became hooked on hi fi in the mid-1970's when the best system I could afford to put together was a Linn Sondek LP12/Ittok/Asak, Meridian 101 preamp with active electronic cross-overs, a six-pack of Meridian 105S power amplifiers configured for bass, mid and treble, driving a pair of Linn Isobarik PMS active loudspeakers.

After decades of box-swapping and fine-tuning, my system today comprises a dCS Vivaldi SACD/CD Transport, DAC, Master Word Clock and Upsampler (main source) with alternatives in the form of a Melco N1A Digital Library and a vinyl front end consisting of a TW Acoustics Raven One turntable with Graham Phantom II arm and Transfiguration Orpheus L moving coil phono cartridge. The phono stage is the excellent Whest PS.30 RDT 'Special Edition' (designed & manufactured in West London by perhaps the nicest guy in audio, James Henriott.).

The beating heart of the system is the CJ GAT Series 2 preamp, which I bought new last year to compliment my CJ Premier 350SA power amp (purchased new in 2004 and now my oldest system component).

The latest speakers to grace my sitting room are the rather lovely TAD CR-1 MKII's, which are the first stand-mounted speakers I have ever owned! The wife likes them because "they match the curtains!"

Previous to the TAD's arrival, I lived with Avalon Indras for eight years.

Having once had a Nordost Valhalla cable loom, I settled on MIT Oracle MA and MA-X interconnects in 2009, with MIT Magnum MA as speaker cables (moving up to Oracle MA was hideously expensive!).

I am a great believer in 'system architecture' and was an early disciple of Paul Wakeen's Stillpoints, having migrated from the original Universal Resonance couplers to Ultra SS, Ultra 5 and Ultra 6 footers. Because of a high box count of system source components, I have two Stillpoints ESS stands, which sit on Ultra bases for maximum stability. The "critical" components (dCS Vivaldi full stack and GAT 2 preamp are on Stillpoints 'Grid System' levels with each individual piece of equipment being supported by a quartet (5 in the case of the Vivaldi Transport) of Ultra SS footers.

I have a Vertex AQ Alethiea PSU-2 balanced power supply which supplies balanced power to the source components and a 'straight through' unrestricted current supply to my CJ Premier 350SA power amp. The Alethiea PSU-2 sits on a quartet of Stillpoints Ultra 5's on a Stillpoints Component Stand. The 350SA sits on 4 X Ultra 6's on a second Stillpoints Component Stand.

Power cords are Vertex AQ Hi-Rez Roraima pure silver, high current cables, which incorporate a metal box which wicks vibration away from the cable and has RFI/EMI elimination properties.

Finally, the TAD speaker stands are supported by a trio of Stillpoints Ultra 5's and complimented by a REL Gibraltar G2 sub, which sits on 4 X Ultra SS footers.

A lot of Stillpoints, but very worthwhile when you hear what benefits a "fully-floated" system can bring in terms of ultra-low system noise levels and increased dynamics.

For good measure, I have a Gutwire Perfect Ground cable on the GAT 2 and room acoustic control is taken care of by judicious placement of Acustica Applicata DAAD 2's, 3's and 4's.

A substantial investment in a hi fi system, but hey, you can't take it with you and it provides me with many hours of musical enjoyment!

Thank you for allowing me to indulge my waffle about my pride and joy!

Imagefullsizeoutput_8fd by Steve Coward, on Flickr
CJ GAT2/Premier 350SA, dCS Vivaldi full stack, TAD CR1 MKII, Melco NIZH/60/2, TW Raven One/Graham Phantom II/Transfiguration Orpheus L, Whest PS.30 RDT 'SE' phono stage, MIT Oracle MAX/MA cabling, DAAD room tuning, Stillponts racks, balanced PSU.
XCop5089
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Re: My CJ-based system

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CJ GAT2/Premier 350SA, dCS Vivaldi full stack, TAD CR1 MKII, Melco NIZH/60/2, TW Raven One/Graham Phantom II/Transfiguration Orpheus L, Whest PS.30 RDT 'SE' phono stage, MIT Oracle MAX/MA cabling, DAAD room tuning, Stillponts racks, balanced PSU.
XCop5089
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Re: My CJ-based system

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Room size for the UK is good at 22' (L) X 18'3" (W) X 8' (H).

Imagefullsizeoutput_8c5 by Steve Coward, on Flickr
CJ GAT2/Premier 350SA, dCS Vivaldi full stack, TAD CR1 MKII, Melco NIZH/60/2, TW Raven One/Graham Phantom II/Transfiguration Orpheus L, Whest PS.30 RDT 'SE' phono stage, MIT Oracle MAX/MA cabling, DAAD room tuning, Stillponts racks, balanced PSU.
XCop5089
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Re: My CJ-based system

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The 65" LG OLED screen and Meridian Audio A/V system is "shoe-horned" into the corner at the other end of the room. Not ideal, but the hifi system takes precedence!

Imagefullsizeoutput_908 by Steve Coward, on Flickr
CJ GAT2/Premier 350SA, dCS Vivaldi full stack, TAD CR1 MKII, Melco NIZH/60/2, TW Raven One/Graham Phantom II/Transfiguration Orpheus L, Whest PS.30 RDT 'SE' phono stage, MIT Oracle MAX/MA cabling, DAAD room tuning, Stillponts racks, balanced PSU.
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Re: My CJ-based system

Post by admin »

Wow,... that entire setup looks amazing. The finish on the TAD's look beautiful. I like the "clean" look of the rack. Very nice, congrats.
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Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
XCop5089
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Re: My CJ-based system

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admin wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2017 2:18 pm Wow,... that entire setup looks amazing. The finish on the TAD's look beautiful. I like the "clean" look of the rack. Very nice, congrats.
Thank you for your kind words!
CJ GAT2/Premier 350SA, dCS Vivaldi full stack, TAD CR1 MKII, Melco NIZH/60/2, TW Raven One/Graham Phantom II/Transfiguration Orpheus L, Whest PS.30 RDT 'SE' phono stage, MIT Oracle MAX/MA cabling, DAAD room tuning, Stillponts racks, balanced PSU.
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Re: My CJ-based system

Post by JONTY »

Fits in nicely with the decor not too imposing. Very liberal use of stillpoints they must work for you to pay so much attention to your individual components.
Am I right in thinking you have a Premier 350SA now...?
Jonathan.
XCop5089
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Re: My CJ-based system

Post by XCop5089 »

JONTY wrote: Mon Oct 09, 2017 9:39 am Fits in nicely with the decor not too imposing. Very liberal use of stillpoints they must work for you to pay so much attention to your individual components.
Am I right in thinking you have a Premier 350SA now...?
Jonathan.
Thanks Jonathan.

Yes. Premier 350SA is my current system power amp and has been since 2004!

Steve
CJ GAT2/Premier 350SA, dCS Vivaldi full stack, TAD CR1 MKII, Melco NIZH/60/2, TW Raven One/Graham Phantom II/Transfiguration Orpheus L, Whest PS.30 RDT 'SE' phono stage, MIT Oracle MAX/MA cabling, DAAD room tuning, Stillponts racks, balanced PSU.
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Re: My CJ-based system

Post by JONTY »

Now that's a good sign... I've only had mine 2weeks...!!
Jonathan.
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Re: My CJ-based system

Post by IkeDam »

What an amazing setup, Xcop! I agree with you, I don't put price tags on what I love either.
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